Exodus 10:21-11:3

New International Version

The Plague of Darkness

²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness^(A) spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness^(B) covered all Egypt for three days. ²³ No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.^(C)

²⁴ Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go,^(D) worship the Lord. Even your women and children^(E) may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”^(F)

²⁵ But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings^(G) to present to the Lord our God. ²⁶ Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the Lord our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the Lord.”

²⁷ But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart,^(H) and he was not willing to let them go. ²⁸ Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.”

²⁹ “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear^(I) before you again.”

The Plague on the Firstborn

11 Now the Lord had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go^(J) from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely.^{(K) 2} Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”^{(L) 3} (The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed^(M) toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded^(N) in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.)